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In pictures: Ramadan’s holiest night

Throngs gathered at the famed al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to mark Laylat al-Qadr.

Thousands gather at al-Aqsa mosque for Laylat al-Qadr on the 27th night of Ramadan.

By Wael Salaymeh

Published On 5 Aug 2013

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Nearly 400,000 Palestinians gathered in Jerusalem at the famous al-Aqsa Mosque for Laylat al-Qadr, the holy night commemorating when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammad.

Laylat al-Qadr is considered to be the most holy night of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month. The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is disputed, but it is believed to have occurred on one of the last 10 days of the month. 

Israeli forces imposed tight security measures on Palestinians crossing borders to reach al-Aqsa, and enforced age limitations for admission.

Laylat al-Qadr is the night during which it is believed that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
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Nearly 400,000 Palestinians participated in the religious ceremony in Jerusalem.
Muslims often conduct extra prayers at night during the holy month of Ramadan.
The exact date when Laylat al-Qadr took place is not known, but it is believed to fall on one of the last five odd-numbered nights of Ramadan.
Many stay up during the whole night to pray.
Several recite entire Quran passages throughout the night.
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Although the Israelis imposed age restrictions on who could attend, hundreds of thousands came to the historic mosque nevertheless.
Both men and women participated in the holy event.
The last 10 days of Ramadan are considered to be the holiest part of the month.